What began as a tightly contested Saturday night matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns quickly spiraled into one of the ugliest scenes of the NBA season. In front of a buzzing Smoothie King Center crowd on Dec. 27, tensions boiled over in the third quarter, resulting in a full-blown on-court fight and the ejection of two players.
The game had been competitive throughout, with both teams trading momentum and physical play. But midway through the third quarter, frustration crossed a line, turning routine contact into a confrontation that halted the game and drew immediate attention from fans and league observers alike.
Mark Williams, Jose Alvarado Ejected After Third-Quarter Altercation
The incident unfolded following what initially appeared to be a standard foul. Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was whistled while attempting to fight through a screen set by Suns center Mark Williams for guard Collin Gillespie. As the call was made, Alvarado began arguing with the referee, visibly frustrated by the decision.
Moments later, the situation escalated. Alvarado abruptly turned back toward Williams and shoved the 7’1″ center, igniting an instant confrontation. Williams responded forcefully, throwing punches that knocked Alvarado’s headband loose, prompting the Pelicans guard to swing back without hesitation.
FIGHT BREAKS OUT IN SUNS-PELICANS 😳 pic.twitter.com/yEjd0pha5z
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 28, 2025
What followed was chaos. Both benches emptied as players rushed onto the court to prevent the altercation from escalating further. Pelicans players Trey Murphy and Yves Missi, along with Suns players Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Livers, were among those who intervened as officials struggled to regain control.
The arena buzzed as referees reviewed the sequence before ejecting both Williams and Alvarado. At the time of the fight, the Suns held an 87-83 lead, but the emotional momentum quickly shifted following the lengthy stoppage.
League discipline is expected, with fines or possible suspensions likely pending a formal NBA review. As of now, no additional penalties have been announced.
Suns Regain Composure, Close Out Win Despite Chaos
Despite the disorder, the Suns remained composed after play resumed. They steadied themselves down the stretch and took control of the fourth quarter, ultimately pulling away for a 123-114 road victory.
The win marked Phoenix’s third victory over New Orleans this season and completed a back-to-back sweep after the Suns defeated the Pelicans the night before. With the result, Phoenix improved to 18-13 and extended its winning streak to three games.
For New Orleans, the loss only added to a difficult stretch. The Pelicans dropped to 8-25, last in the Western Conference, and are now riding a three-game losing streak. The fight overshadowed what had been one of their more competitive performances in recent weeks.
Physical play had defined much of the contest even before the altercation, with both teams battling for position and control. But the third-quarter incident underscored how quickly frustration can derail a game, especially for a young Pelicans squad struggling to find consistency.
